[BUG] Windows desktop app crashes minutes after launch; requires Appx re-register or reinstall to recover

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

The Claude desktop app on Windows 11 closes on its own a few minutes after launch. After it closes, it will not start again: Windows shows "This app can't be opened."

Settings > Advanced options > Repair returns "We couldn't repair this app."

The only way to recover is to either re-run the installer or re-register the Appx package. After that the app launches normally, works for a few minutes, then closes again. This cycle has repeated many times.

There are no "Application Error" entries for Claude.exe in Event Viewer at all, even though the log records crashes for other applications. The only Claude-related entries are Information-level from ProviderName "CoworkVMService". This suggests the process is not crashing in the usual sense.

What Should Happen?

The desktop app should stay open during normal use and should launch reliably every time without needing to be re-registered or reinstalled.

Error Messages/Logs

Windows dialog: "This app can't be opened"
Settings > Advanced options > Repair: "We couldn't repair this app."

Event Viewer (Application log): no entries for Claude.exe.
Installed package: Claude_1.26832.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc
Install location: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Claude_1.26832.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc

Steps to Reproduce

1. Launch the Claude desktop app on Windows 11 and open the Code tab.
2. Open a project folder and start a session.
3. After a few minutes the app window closes on its own.
4. Attempting to launch it again produces "This app can't be opened."
5. Recover with either:

• Re-run "Claude Setup.exe", or
• Get-AppxPackage laude | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

1. The app launches normally, then closes again after a few minutes. Repeats indefinitely.

Occurs with a single session open, and also with multiple sessions.

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.226

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

• Windows 11 Home, build 26200.8875
• Node.js v24.18.0
• Claude Max subscription
• Claude Code CLI v2.1.226 works perfectly on the same machine with the same account, so account, auth and network are fine. The problem is isolated to the desktop client.
• Tried without success: uninstall + reinstall, running installer as Administrator, disabling "Archive apps" in Windows settings, deleting %LOCALAPPDATA% leftovers, restart.
• No third-party antivirus, no AppLocker, no Group Policy, personal (non-managed) device.
• Support ticket already open: conversation ID 215475426646486